Should adoption agency workers be allowed to adopt through the agency where they work.?

Question

Doesn't that in itself make them and their co-workers bias? do they get a first shot at adopting and do they use those placements as part of their info showing how many placements they made?

what

Answer 1

I'm a Social Worker and I am in the middle of adopting an 11 y/o child that I have known for 3 years. I had always thought in my mind that I would love to adopt her, but said nothing because, as many of you mention here, I was concerned about the conflict of interest as well.  The child went to her lawyer after her 5th foster home move and asked if she could live with me. The lawyer  called me to tell me this, and I told her that I would in a heartbeat if I could, but as her worker I couldn't. She encouraged me to look into it, and I was shocked when all of my co-workers and managers were for it 100%.  The file was transfered to another worker immediately, the home study is being completed by an Agency in another city, and I am no longer involved in the decision making for her or her siblings.  Both of her parents were also in support of this, as they had already agreed to sign over custody because she refused to return to either of them. They were both happy that I would be adopting her, as they knew that I had a great relationship with her, knew her behaviours and what I was getting myself into, and that I would not abandon her as her previous caregivers had.

I can see where you all are coming from, as I felt that this was a conflict of interest as well. But remember that these children often have bleak futures, bouncing from home to home and never feeling like they belong anywhere. Social workers know what they are getting themselves into and often know the children and are already committed to doing their best to meet their needs. Sometimes, just sometimes, it fits